Test Fixtures for ASTM C273 Model: G-ASTM-C273-F2

Shear Properties of Sandwich Core Materials. This is the Tilted Plate shear test. The core (foam, honeycomb, or balsa) is bonded between two thick steel plates. The plates are then pulled in tension, creating a shear stress in the core. The engineering Pain Point is the bonding process. If the adhesive is too brittle, the plates will peel at the edges. MTO provides the high-stiffness steel plates and a specialized Bonding Jig to ensure the plates remain perfectly parallel during adhesive cure. In the test machine, we use a Universal Joint grip to ensure the load string is perfectly centered, preventing any out-of-plane bending. This is a foundational test for aerospace and marine composites.